24 BULL-FIGHTS. 



is raised to the highest pitch, and, were it not for 

 the experience and skill of the assailants, his furious 

 efforts would hurl destruction on their heads in a 

 moment. The bull being exhausted with numerous 

 wounds and loss of blood, another victim of barbarous 

 sport is demanded ; the signal of death is given by 

 the president, and announced by the sound of trum- 

 pets. The matador then appears in the arena, when 

 the other combatants retire. In one hand he holds 

 a long dagger, and with the other waves a flag before 

 his adversary. The interest and pleasure of the 

 spectators, which had been suspended, are again 

 awakened, and the matador, watching the favourable 

 opportunity, inflicts the mortal blow ; and if the ani- 

 mal fall, the loudest snouts of acclamation announce 

 the triumph of the conqueror ; but if he fail in the 

 first attempt, a murmur of disapprobation pervades 

 the assembly. The fallen animal is then dragged 

 from the arena by three mules ornamented with bells 

 and streamers, and another is immediately introduc- 

 ed to run the same course of barbarous torment. \t 

 one period six bulls were thus sacrificed in a morn- 

 ing, and twelve in the afternoon, on the days appro- 

 priated to these entertainments in Madrid." * 



According to Gibbon, the Romans, about the de- 

 cline and fall of the empire, borrowed this barbarous 

 practice from the Moors. 



" In the year 1332, a bull feast, after the fashion of 

 the Moors and Spaniards, was celebrated in the Co 

 * Encyclopaedia Edinensis. 



